Autopsy shows homicide victim died of asphyxiation

Nancy Harvey, the 52-year-old woman who was found dead in her car dealership earlier this year, died of asphyxiation, according to the autopsy report released Thursday.

BY DARRICK IGNASIAKThe Dispatch

Nancy Harvey, the 52-year-old woman who was found dead in her car dealership earlier this year, died of asphyxiation, according to the autopsy report released Thursday by the N.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.The autopsy was performed on Harvey on Jan. 26, a day after she was found dead by employees of Atlanta Car Co. at 1834 Old U.S. Highway 52. Deputies were dispatched to the business about 9 a.m. Jan. 25.Few details concerning the manner of how she died had been provided by authorities prior to Thursday's release of the autopsy report. “Her legs and hands were tied by zip ties and there was a bag over her head with a zip tie around the neck,” the autopsy report stated. “Apparently bleach had been poured over the body and around the office. … Her wrist and ankles were also zip tied. Multiple blunt trauma essentially running from the face to the upper thighs was also identified.”No ethanol was detected in the blood from the aorta, the report stated. Ethanol is another name for drinking alcohol.“After review of the historic and autopsy findings contained here in, it is my opinion that Nancy Harvey died as the result of asphyxiation …,” the report signed by Dr. Clay Nichols stated.According to the autopsy report, the bag had the wording “WWW.NADA.COM” — a website that lists new and used car prices — on it. The report further indicated injuries to her right eye and left cheek. The medical examiner also noted an abrasion around the neck.Davidson County Sheriff David Grice declined to comment on the autopsy report.“We are still actively investigating it, pursuing leads and getting information often,” Grice said of the case. “We have got some evidence submitted to the FBI and SBI labs. We are waiting on results from that.”Meanwhile, the search warrant conducted at the Atlanta Car Co. and the initial 911 recording remained sealed by a judge.Lexington Area Crimestoppers is offering up to a $2,000 reward for a tip leading to the arrest and conviction of whomever is responsible for Harvey's death. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Crimestoppers at 243-2400.

Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 217, or at darrick.ignasiak@the-dispatch.com.